UPSC_CS MAINS 2013 Paper II

The World Bank and the IMF, collectively known as the Bretton Woods Institutions, are the two inter-governmental pillars supporting the structure of the world’s economic and financial order. Superficially, the World Bank and the IMF exhibit many common characteristics, yet their role, functions and mandate are distinctly different. Elucidate.

Points to Remember: World Bank’s primary focus: Poverty reduction and economic development through loans and assistance. IMF’s primary focus: Global monetary stability and financial assistance to countries facing balance of payment crises. Both are international organizations with a shared history but distinct mandates. Overlapping areas exist, particularly in crisis management. Criticisms exist regarding both institutions’ … Read more

Discuss the political developments in Maldives in the last two years. Should they be of any cause of concern to India?

Points to Remember: Recent political shifts in the Maldives. India’s strategic interests in the Maldives. Potential threats and opportunities for India. The nature of the India-Maldives relationship. Policy recommendations for India. Introduction: The Maldives, an archipelago nation in the Indian Ocean, has witnessed significant political developments in the last two years. These developments, characterized by … Read more

What is meant by Gujral doctrine? Does it have any relevance today.Discuss.

Points to Remember: Definition and origins of the Gujral Doctrine. Key tenets of the doctrine. Application and successes of the doctrine. Criticisms and limitations of the doctrine. Relevance of the doctrine in contemporary international relations. Suggestions for adapting the doctrine to modern challenges. Introduction: The Gujral Doctrine, a foreign policy initiative proposed by former Indian … Read more

The proposed withdrawal of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) from Afghanistan in 2014 is fraught with major security implications for the countries of the region. Examine in light of the fact that India is faced with a plethora of challenges and needs to safeguard its own strategic interests.

Points to Remember: ISAF withdrawal timeline (2014) and its impact on regional security. India’s strategic interests in Afghanistan and the region. Challenges faced by India in the context of ISAF withdrawal. Potential security implications for India. Policy recommendations for India to safeguard its interests. Introduction: The withdrawal of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) from … Read more

What do you understand by ‘The String of Pearls’? How does it impact India? Briefly outline the steps taken by India to counter this.

Points to Remember: The String of Pearls is a geopolitical term. It refers to China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean region. India perceives this as a strategic challenge. India employs various strategies to counter this influence. Introduction: “The String of Pearls” is a geopolitical term used to describe China’s expanding network of strategic partnerships … Read more

Economic ties between India and Japan while growing in the recent years are still far below their potential. Elucidate the policy constraints which are inhibiting this growth.

Points to Remember: Growing but untapped potential in India-Japan economic ties. Policy constraints hindering growth. Identification and analysis of specific policy bottlenecks. Suggestions for policy improvements. Introduction: India and Japan, two major Asian economies, have witnessed a significant upswing in their bilateral economic relationship in recent years. Driven by shared strategic interests and complementary economic … Read more

The protests in Shahbag Square in Dhaka in Bangladesh reveal a fundamental split in society between the nationalists and Islamic forces. What is its significance for India?

Points to Remember: The 2013 Shahbag protests in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The division between nationalist and Islamist forces in Bangladesh. The implications of this division for India’s security and foreign policy. The need for a nuanced understanding of the situation. Introduction: The 2013 Shahbag Square protests in Dhaka, Bangladesh, marked a significant turning point in the … Read more

In respect of India-Sri Lanka relations, discuss how domestic factors influence foreign policy.

Points to Remember: India-Sri Lanka relations are multifaceted, influenced by geography, history, culture, and economics. Domestic factors in both countries significantly shape their foreign policy approaches towards each other. Understanding these domestic factors is crucial for predicting and influencing the trajectory of bilateral relations. A balanced approach acknowledging both positive and negative influences is essential. … Read more

Identify the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that are related to health. Discuss the success of the actions taken by the Government for achieving the same.

Points to Remember: Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) related to health. Government actions to achieve these goals. Success and shortcomings of these actions. Suggestions for improvement. Introduction: The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), adopted by the United Nations in 2000, were eight international development goals that aimed to improve the lives of people in developing countries by … Read more

Though Citizens’ charters have been formulated by many public service delivery organizations,there is no corresponding improvement in the level of citizens’ satisfaction and quality of services being provided Analyse.

Points to Remember: Citizen’s Charters: Aims, implementation challenges, and impact assessment. Citizen satisfaction: Measurement, factors influencing it, and relationship with service quality. Public service delivery: Organizational structures, accountability mechanisms, and citizen engagement. Introduction: Citizen’s Charters are formal declarations by public service delivery organizations outlining their commitment to service standards, accountability, and citizen rights. While widely … Read more